Author: malaysiang

DUMAGUETE: Anti-narcotics agents seized over PHP7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested an alleged drug pusher during a pre-dawn buy-bust Tuesday in this capital city of Negros Oriental.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, identified the suspect as Aldwin Merced, 36, of Barangay Candau-ay here.

Merced was arrested at 2:40 a.m. after he allegedly sold suspected shabu to an undercover agent.

Seized from the high-value target were an estimated 1.31 kilos of shabu with a street value of PHP7,010,800.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed against him.

Meanwhile, 15 suspects yielded more than PHP1 million worth of shabu during three days of Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation on May 10 to 12, Polinar said.

The operations also resulted in the arrest of some 100 individuals for various offenses such as illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms, and violations of loca
l ordinances, as well as the arrest of wanted persons.

Source: Philippines News Agency

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA: Antique’s provincial government is partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide skills training to local sugar migrants, locally known as sacadas, and their families.

Antique Provincial Board Member Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr. said Tuesday they approved the intent of TESDA, through acting Provincial Director Agnes Dimzon, of entering into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the provincial government for the implementation of the ‘Gulayan sa Barangay’ and other skills training program for the sacadas and their families during their regular session on Monday.

‘The provincial government would like for sacadas to avail of the skills training on how to plant high-value crops so that they would have an alternative source of income,’ Sumande said in an interview.

Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao inquired with TESDA on how the sacadas could get assistance for their livelihood about a month ago, he added.

Sumande said they hope to seal the pa
rtnership by the end of this month.

In a separate interview, Dimzon said they offer agri-related skills training, such as agricultural crop production and urban gardening, that sacadas could avail and use as an alternative source of income.

‘We intend to start with one or two batches of trainees after the MOA signing,’ she said.

She said a batch could accommodate at least 25 sacadas interested in undergoing a 30-day training with TESDA providing a daily allowance of PHP160.

The trainees will also undergo assessment after they train to get a National Certificate.

Sumande said the provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), would provide sacadas with their needed seeds, tools, and water pumps that they could use to get water from the deep wells even during summer months.

The provincial board on Monday also approved a resolution urging the conduct of medical and dental mission for sacadas.

Board Member Rony Molina, who sponsored the resolution, said about 4,000 Antique s
acadas work in Negros Occidental during the milling season and could hardly avail of medical or dental check-ups before they leave for work because of their financial difficulty.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Turkiye Navy corvette TCG Kinaliada’s visit to Malaysia, the first in almost over a decade shows the close ties between Malaysia and Turkiye, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Such ties has brought about bilateral cooperation in various fields including defence, he added.

‘Yesterday I had a chance to visit and see the TCG Kinaliada at Port Klang. I took the opportunity to witness the presence of the Turkish Navy here in their first visit after almost a decade,’ he said in a Facebook post tonight.

The setting up of TUSAS Malaysia Sdn Bhd , a Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc subsidiary in Cyberjaya has provided job opportunities to over 100 Malaysian engineers to serve and gain knowledge in the military sector, which was a result of close bilateral ties, he said.

‘Besides this, the value of trade between Malaysia and Turkiye has also reached US$4.46 bilion, which has great potential for growth.

‘I’m convinced that the ties that we have fostered will continue to gro
w and will be the key to shared prosperity,’ he said.

The Turkiye Navy corvette TCG Kinaliada docked in Malaysia yesterday and will be in the country for three days before continuing its journey to Japan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Turkiye-Japan diplomatic ties.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday partially awarded reissued Treasury bonds (T-bonds) at a higher yield.

The BTr offered PHP30-billion T-bonds with a remaining term of 14 years and eight months but only accepted PHP11.5 billion of the total bids.

Total tenders amounted to PHP36.7 billion, or 1.2 times oversubscribed.

“The reissued T-bonds were awarded at an average rate of 6.950 percent,” it added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said Tuesday’s yield was higher than the comparable 15-year PHP BVAL yield at 6.90 percent as of May 13, 2024, which is a new three-week low or since April 22, 2024

“This is after the U.S. dollar-peso exchange rate went up to 18-month highs or since November 10, 2022 recently, after mostly softer local economic data recently–inflation that is still within the BSP target range, GDP, employment, exports/trade, and manufacturing–but could support possible local policy rate cuts if the Fed starts cutting rates later this year,” he
said.

The auction result brought the total outstanding volume for the series to PHP115.3 billion.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Some of 20,000 visitors are targeted to attend the Perak Agrotourism Carnival 2024 (PAC 2024) at Tasik Raban Resort, Lenggong over three days starting May 17.

Lenggong MP, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah who is also the Deputy Home Minister said the programme in conjunction with Visit Perak Year 2024 aims to introduce the agro-tourism industry especially in Lenggong as a World Heritage Site.

“We are confident that it can promote tourism products in Lenggong such as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 as well as a National Geopark location in 2021 and in 2026 it is expected to become a Lenggong UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) after Langkawi and Kinabalu.

“So far, we have more than 150 industry players in accommodation, food and event sectors,” he said when appearing as a guest in an exclusive interview programme on Bernama Radio regarding the Perak Agrotourism Carnival 2024 today.

Shamsul Anuar also expects the presence of visitors to the programme organised by the Perak State Agricultural
Development Corporation (Perak SADC) and the Perak state government from foreign countries because there are various activities that will be carried out including Rahmah Sales and a 70 per cent discount for agrotourism packages.

“Visitors to PAC 2024 also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of interesting events held such as hot air balloon rides, recreation with various extreme sports and recreational activities such as water sports and camping activities.

“They can attend the ceramah perdana forum, witness extreme recreational sports, appearances by popular artists and food festivals,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is set to be formalized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with virtual wallet Globe-GCash and operator G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) to further enhance delivery of social protection services.

Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response and Management Group Irene Dumlao said the MOU signing will be held at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City on May 20.

‘This collaboration will use tools and platforms from our partners to streamline social protection programs, making them more accessible and responsive to the needs of our beneficiaries,’ Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday.

‘The DSWD’s partnership with one of the leading telecommunications firms in the country aims to take advantage of technology in advancing various humanitarian initiatives,’ the DSWD spokesperson added.

Under the partnership, GCash and GXI, Inc. will complement their existing initiatives and digital infrastructures with the DSWD’s programs and services, such as th
e Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program, Paspas Serbisyo, Sustainable Livelihood Program, DSWD Academy, and Buong Bansa Handa Project.

‘Our partners, Globe and GXI, Inc., will pool their resources and integrate their existing efforts in assisting marginalized groups supported by the DSWD, and aligning these initiatives to the goals of the different programs and services of the agency,’ Dumlao said.

The agency’s partnership with the private sector is part of the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) brand of governance, which puts a premium on a whole-of-society approach to serve the poor, especially in this digital age.

‘The MOU will aid DSWD in employing digital innovations for a more efficient and seamless social welfare operations in the country,’ Dumlao said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, UDA Holdings Berhad (UDA), an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), is committed to expanding its investment and property management business through the operation of the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (TSN).

Through the UDA Investment and Property Management Division (UDA PIMD), the company has established a strategic partnership with Easybook (M) Sdn Bhd (Easybook) to manage the terminal.

UDA president and chief executive officer Datuk Sr Mohd Salem Kailany said through expertise and experience in managing bus terminals, UDA is optimistic about exploring the opportunity to operate TSN together with Easybook.

“This effort is one of UDA’s strategies in redeveloping and modernising infrastructure in urban areas to create a harmonious life and contribute to the well-being of the local community.

“It is also in line with UDA’s branding concept; LIFE which is Legacy, Integrated, Finesse and Enrich,” he said in a statement issued by UDA at the opening of the
TSN Upgrading project here today.

The terminal was officially opened by the Penang Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye and also present at the ceremony were Easybook founder and chief executive officer William Lee and UDA Holdings Berhad Group chief operating officer (Asset Management) Azrudyn Rashid.

Mohd Salem said the initiative to operate the bus terminal also coincided with UDA’s focus as an agency under KUSKOP in intensifying entrepreneurial activities by providing conducive business space.

The bus terminal now has nine business spaces and one food court, he said, adding that UDA also planned to have additional sales kiosks to provide more opportunities especially for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (PMKS) to expand and conduct business.

“Hopefully this UDA’s proactive step is in line with the desire to continue the UDA Legacy and move towards the sustainability of UDA and further contribute to unity and economic development in Penang and empower the M
ADANI Economy,” he said.

The project to upgrade the operation and management of TSN, which measures 42,112 square foot, covers the renovation and repair of the terminal building, building additional buildings, refurbishing the parking area and improving the parking system.

Meanwhile, Lee said Easybook has obtained the tender for the project to upgrade and manage TSN which was built in 2004.

He said work on the project started in August 2021 and was completed last April, he added.

“This is a strategic partnership with UDA because Easybook has extensive expertise and experience in managing and operating the terminal management system for more than 200 terminals in Southeast Asia, while UDA has expertise in terminal management and is an expert in the management of facilities and commercial building space in shopping centres,” he said.

Lee said the new system at TSN can also help solve the problem of ‘ulat tiket’ (ticket worms) as only buses with permits are allowed to enter the area to pick up passengers.

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ource: BERNAMA News Agency